KUALA LUMPUR: Employers are in no position to absorb any increases in wage costs and any upward review of minimum wages would derail economic recovery and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), said the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).
President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the COVID-19 situation had caused a massive drop in the performance of all the economic sectors which resulted in Malaysia's economy contracting 5.0 per cent in 2020.
"More than 32,500 companies had ceased operations with more than 107,000 employees losing their jobs following the lockdowns that were imposed by the government to break the chain of infections in 2020 and 2021.
"This resulted in higher unemployment rate which in August 2021 recorded four per cent," he said in a statement today in response to proposals to review the existing minimum wages.
He shared that prior to the pandemic outbreak, Malaysia was at full employment as the unemployment rate was below 4.0 per cent.
Even more worrying is that the unemployment rate of those between 15 and 24 years iscurrently at 12 per cent, he said.
Syed Hussain said due to various cost-cutting measures undertaken by employers, the median wagesdropped to RM1,988 compared to RM2,442 in 2019, while average wages dropped to RM2,933 in 2020 compared to RM3,224 in 2019, a decrease of nine per cent.
Labour productivity, he said, also recorded negative 16 per cent in 2020 following the reduction inthe number of workforce which lowered the value added Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020.
He noted that throughout 2020 and 2021, the government had provided a total sum of RM18 billion in the form of wage subsidy that benefitted more than 300,000 employers and 2.4 million employees but despite the various stimulus packages, many employers continue to face severe challenges to remain sustainable.
"More is needed and we must do all we can to support existing business at this very critical juncture. Our top priority should be to provide more funding for business that were forced to shut down so that we are able to create employment for all those who lost their jobs during the lockdowns.
"We need at least two years to normalise businesses and employment," he said.
Therefore, he opined that the current grim economic scenario does not permit any upward review of the existing minimum wages, especially when more than 98 per cent of all registered companies areSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and micro enterprises.
He stressed that the private sector employers especially the SMEs and micro enterprises urgently needmore support from the government to enable them to retain their existing employees, which would in turn help stabilise the labour market and create more quality employment in the longer run.
"Instead of increasing minimum wages, we are of the view that efforts should be put in place to urgently control the rising cost of products and services.
"No amount of wage increases will be able to keep up with the ever increasing cost of livingif no effective measures are implemented to solve the issue of rising cost of living," he suggested.
Syed Hussain also viewed that the majority of business still in existence do not enjoy the same margins as before and it was only between 10 and 15 per cent for most SMEs, which is not enough to even cover the overhead costs.
"To add to the cost of business now is unwise. It is more prudent to look into measures of controlling the cost of living which will directly help the wage earners. The most valuable asset of employers are their employees and no employer wants to see their employees face difficulties.
"Productivity and performance will also improve when all parties are happy and safe. Employers are doing their best to ensure their employees are employed and have a safe work environment. What is most important now is that we must take a balanced approach and be realistic when dealing with wage issues," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Oct 23 2021
![Upward revision of minimum wages would derail economic recovery, 12MP - MEF Upward revision of minimum wages would derail economic recovery, 12MP - MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41634998714_syedhussainsyedhu.jpg)
Dr Syed Hussain said employers are in no position to absorb any increases in wage costs and any upward review of minimum wages would derail economic recovery and the 12MP. - bernama.com
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![MEF bantah kenaikan yuran Fomema, pemeriksaan perubatan pekerja asing makin kerap MEF bantah kenaikan yuran Fomema, pemeriksaan perubatan pekerja asing makin kerap](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71705553230_TByuranFOMEMAMEF.jpg)
MEF bantah kenaikan yuran Fomema, pemeriksaan perubatan pekerja asing makin kerap
MEF berkata syarikat-syarikat hanya mengetahui tentang kenaikan yuran dan kekerapan pemeriksaan apabila melawat laman web Fomema.
![MEF tak setuju majikan diwajibkan bayar elaun pelatih MEF tak setuju majikan diwajibkan bayar elaun pelatih](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/81687305736_SyedHussainMEF.jpg)
MEF tak setuju majikan diwajibkan bayar elaun pelatih
MEF tidak bersetuju syarikat swasta diwajibkan membayar elaun kepada pelatih industri, sebaliknya perlu mengikut budi bicara mereka.
![Bukan masa sesuai tingkatkan umur persaraan - MEF Bukan masa sesuai tingkatkan umur persaraan - MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/41639532752_syedhussainsyedhu.jpg)
Bukan masa sesuai tingkatkan umur persaraan - MEF
Persekutuan Majikan-majikan Malaysia (MEF) tidak bersetuju sekiranya usia persaraan di sektor lain turut ditingkatkan kepada 61 tahun.
![Insentif Kerjaya Madani 2023 galak majikan menggaji kumpulan sasar - MEF Insentif Kerjaya Madani 2023 galak majikan menggaji kumpulan sasar - MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41670713152_SyedHussainSyedHu.jpg)
Insentif Kerjaya Madani 2023 galak majikan menggaji kumpulan sasar - MEF
Syed Hussain berkata, hal ini dapat menangani isu kekurangan tenaga kerja yang dihadapi dan meningkatkan keyakinan pelabur.
![MEF seru dasar pengeluaran KWSP disemak semula MEF seru dasar pengeluaran KWSP disemak semula](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41670713152_SyedHussainSyedHu.jpg)
MEF seru dasar pengeluaran KWSP disemak semula
MEF menyeru agar dasar pengeluaran KWSP dikaji semula, dengan mengambil kira umur persaraan minimum semasa Malaysia iaitu 60 tahun.
![Penggabungan KWSP-Perkeso tidak praktikal - MEF Penggabungan KWSP-Perkeso tidak praktikal - MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41670713152_SyedHussainSyedHu.jpg)
Penggabungan KWSP-Perkeso tidak praktikal - MEF
Penggabungan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) dan Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso) bukanlah satu tindakan yang praktikal untuk dilaksanakan, kata Persekutuan Majikan Malaysia (MEF).
![Tidak perlu pengeluaran KWSP, fokus subsidi - MEF Tidak perlu pengeluaran KWSP, fokus subsidi - MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-02/81676416166_Tidakperlupengelua.jpg)
Tidak perlu pengeluaran KWSP, fokus subsidi - MEF
Shamsuddin berkata jika pencarum tidak mempunyai wang mencukupi untuk bersara, maka mereka pasti akan menghadapi masalah.
![MEF cadangkan rangka kerja komprehensif bagi kekalkan bakat Malaysia yang kembali di bawah REP MEF cadangkan rangka kerja komprehensif bagi kekalkan bakat Malaysia yang kembali di bawah REP](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41670713152_SyedHussainSyedHu.jpg)
MEF cadangkan rangka kerja komprehensif bagi kekalkan bakat Malaysia yang kembali di bawah REP
Syed Hussain menggesa kerajaan memberi perhatian khusus kepada mereka yang kembali bekerja di negara ini melalui program itu.
![Pindaan Akta Kerja meresahkan golongan majikan - Pengarah Eksekutif MEF Pindaan Akta Kerja meresahkan golongan majikan - Pengarah Eksekutif MEF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/51671777409_TBSHAMSUDDINBARDAN.jpg)
Pindaan Akta Kerja meresahkan golongan majikan - Pengarah Eksekutif MEF
Pindaan Akta Kerja 1955 dilihat memberi keuntungan kepada golongan pekerja namun meresahkan para majikan di negara ini.
![MEF harap OCS pekerja asing akan kekal di bawah KSM MEF harap OCS pekerja asing akan kekal di bawah KSM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2018-10/81540372339_EKadImigresen.jpg)
MEF harap OCS pekerja asing akan kekal di bawah KSM
MEF mencadangkan agar pengambilan dan pengurusan pekerja asing termasuk pembantu rumah asing dikekalkan di bawah Kementerian Sumber Manusia (KSM).